Rhino calf freed from snare in dramatic rescue

When a rhino calf’s calls of distress sounded out around a Hluhluwe game reserve, no stone was left unturned to investigate the situation and tend to her needs.

It turned out young Viola (18 months) had become trapped in a snare last week, her horn entangled in the metal mass.

The reserve’s anti-poaching and K9 unit, together with Dogs4Wildlife and Project Rhino immediately sprang into action, drawing resources from far and wide – even internationally.

Employing the use of a helicopter, the rescue mission was neither an easy nor a cheap one, but those involved gladly accepted financial assistance from donor James Harwood from Anglesey in north Wales.

The game reserve said his prompt support and charity ensured the swift and immediate action to save Viola and to preserve the white rhino for future generations.

Harwood was on a 10-day holiday in South Africa when he stumbled upon the Dogs4Wildlife NPO and decided to get involved with conservation.

Under the watchful eye of her mother, Viola was sedated, worked on and freed from the snare in which she was entangled.

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